Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

Reviewed by Amy Fox

Wobbler syndrome is a disease that results from a compressed spinal cord in a dog's neck. The syndrome is characterized by the wobbly gait it causes. Other symptoms include neck pain, incoordination, and difficulty sitting or laying down. There are multiple causes of Wobbler syndrome and the disease is more prevalent in large and giant breeds like Doberman pinschers, Great Danes, mastiffs, and rottweilers. Your vet may be able to diagnose Wobbler syndrome with a physical examination and radiographic tests. Treatment usually begins with movement restriction and pain medications but may require surgery. The prognosis of Wobbler syndrome greatly depends on the severity of the condition.

What Is Wobbler Syndrome?

Wobbler syndrome is a neurological disease that is caused by a compressed spinal cord in a dog's neck. The syndrome has many names and sub-diagnoses, including cervical vertebral instability (CVI), cervical vertebral malformation (CVM), and cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation (CVMM). The pressure on the spinal cord causes nerve problems and inhibits normal motor function. Wobbler syndrome is characterized by a wobbly, unsteady gait, caused by nerve problems in the limbs. There are two main types of the syndrome: disk-associated wobbler syndrome (DAWS) and Bony-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy. The former affects middle-aged large-breed dogs, and the latter affects young giant-breed dogs.

Symptoms of Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

Sometimes, symptoms caused by Wobbler syndrome will present suddenly, but they usually appear at a young age and progress slowly as the condition worsens. While a dog's wobbling is often noticeable, there are other, more subtle signs to look out for and treat before the disease becomes increasingly severe.

Symptoms

• Altered gait

• Painful neck

• Incoordination
  

• Difficulty standing up or laying down

• Weakness

Altered Gait

The clearest symptom of Wobbler syndrome is an altered gait. This is usually displayed in a wobbly, swaying walk. Your dog may take longer, slower strides caused by weakened hind legs. When Wobbler syndrome advances, your dog's front legs may become affected as well.

Painful Neck

Your dog may be reluctant to move its neck due to pain caused by a compressed spinal cord. This could look like a dog that is reluctant to move and may try to avoid bending its neck in any direction. Sometimes this will cause them to avoid eating and drinking because it is too painful to bend down to their bowls. When untreated, the neck pain can become extreme and seriously impact your dog's quality of life.

Incoordination

If your dog has Wobbler syndrome, you may notice it struggling with coordination. In addition to wobbling, this can include stumbling and tripping and not being aware of where their feet are in space, which is known as proprioception.

Difficulty Standing Up or Laying Down

Spinal compression can affect your dog's laying, sitting, and walking ability. This can be caused by pain as well as from the gradual paralysis that can occur, making it more difficult for them to coordinate these movements.

Weakness

You might notice your dog displaying signs of generalized weakness due to Wobbler syndrome. The chronic pain of this disease can be exhausting. In addition, as this disease causes nerve damage, the muscles that are innervated by those nerves begin to weaken, or atrophy, making them lose strength overall. Finally, this disease can cause progressive paralysis which may look like weakness at first, and can progress to loss of sensation and function in the limbs in extreme cases.

What Causes Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs?

Wobbler syndrome has two main causes, but the underlying risk factors that lead to these causes are still unclear. The two main causes of Wobbler syndrome are disc-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (DA-CSM) and osseus-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (OA-CSM), also known as Bony-associated CSM. The disc-associated form is most common in middle aged dogs and is caused by a combination of an abnormally narrow vertebral canal that is then compressed by the discs that sit between the vertebrae of the neck. This is similar to how people sometimes describe having a 'slipped disc.' The Bony-associated form is caused by overgrowth of bony parts of the vertebrae that cause arthritis as well as compression of the vertebral canal and spinal cord. There are a few theories that may explain why certain dogs are predisposed to these conditions:

• Genetics: Some dog breeds are more likely to develop Wobbler syndrome than others and it does have a hereditary component. These breeds include Doberman pinschers, Great Danes, mastiffs, and rottweilers. Doberman pinschers and Great Danes account for 80% of Wobbler syndrome cases. Small dogs are also susceptible to developing Wobbler syndrome, but it is much less common.

• Nutrition: Some studies suggest that nutrition may play a part in the development of Wobbler syndrome. Diet modifications are currently under evaluation as a possible way to treat and/or prevent this condition.
  

How Vets Diagnose Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

Your vet will perform a complete physical exam and neurological examination to determine that your dog has a spinal injury in the region of the neck. To further narrow down the diagnosis, this will often be accompanied by blood tests and x-rays to rule out other conditions that may be causing your dog's symptoms. Many times, your vet will recommend referral to a specialist in neurology for additional testing including spinal fluid analysis, an MRI or CT scan.

How to Treat Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

Dogs with mild signs of Wobbler syndrome can sometimes be treated conservatively with anti-inflammatory pain medications and restriction of movement. This includes using a chest harness for walks instead of a neck lead and trying to keep your dog calm and quiet. These dogs should not be allowed to run around off-leash, jump on and off the furniture, or play rough especially in games such as tug-of-war. If your dog's signs continue or worsen, your vet may recommend surgery. There are many different surgical approaches and they are all aimed at removing the pressure on the spinal cord to alleviate pain and other symptoms of this condition. Prognosis varies based on the severity of each dog's case. Visit your vet to determine the best treatment plan for your dog.

Prognosis for Dogs With Wobbler Syndrome

The severity of the condition determines the prognosis for dogs with Wobbler syndrome. Dogs with milder symptoms have a higher chance of recovery. Dogs with more severe symptoms such as paralysis, may never walk normally again, even if surgery improves their condition. If your dog does have surgery, it may need months of intensive physical rehabilitation to maximize the benefits and to see the most improvement in their function. The goals of treatment are to reduce as much of your dog's discomfort as possible even if they do not make a complete recovery.

How to Prevent Wobbler Syndrome

There is currently no way to prevent the development of Wobbler syndrome in an individual dog. It is possible nutrition may play a role and research may reveal certain diet modifications that can prevent or slow the progress of Wobbler syndrome, but this is still being studied. Until more definitive conclusions are drawn, the best way to prevent Wobbler syndrome is to refrain from breeding dogs that present with the disease in order to limit inheritance of the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes Wobbler syndrome?

Wobbler syndrome can be caused by discs in the neck compressing the spinal cord, or by bony overgrowth of the vertebrae compressing the spinal cord. The underlying mechanisms that lead to this are still unclear, but we know that genetics play a role.

Will my dog's gait return to normal after surgery?

Your dog's recovery from Wobbler syndrome depends on the severity of its symptoms. Dogs with mild symptoms are more likely to make a full recovery, while dogs with advanced Wobbler syndrome may never be able to walk normally again.

How do I know if my dog has Wobbler syndrome?

Wobbler syndrome is identified by a dog's wobbly gait. If you notice your dog becoming uncoordinated, walking abnormally, or acting painful in its neck, bring it to the vet for a diagnosis.